Why might I take medication?

Generally, psychiatric drugs can’t cure a mental health problem. But in some cases, they can help reduce the symptoms or help you cope with them better.

Whether you are offered medication or not depends on:

your diagnosis

your symptoms

how severely the condition affects you.

There are many other types of treatment options as well as medication. Many people use a combination of medication and other treatments, such as a talking treatment, to manage their condition.

How long might I take medication for?

Again, this depends on:

your diagnosis

how severely the condition affects you.

For some conditions (such as depression, or an episode of psychosis), you might only be expected take the medication for a specific period of time.

If you have repeated episodes of mental ill health (such as might happen with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia), your doctor might advise you to stay on your medication for several years, or indefinitely.

Who can prescribe medication?

You can be prescribed psychiatric medication by:

a GP

a psychiatrist

a nurse prescriber – usually attached to your surgery or community mental health team (CMHT).